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Learn To Recognize What Types of Headaches Are Dangerous And Serious

Headaches are usually not dangerous and they are caused by stress, tension and sinuses. However, you should know which headaches are serious and dangerous and require urgent medical attention.

The following headaches require a visit to the doctor:

• Thunderclap headaches

This headache is severe and frequent. It develops in only one minute. It can be caused by brain bleeding after a stroke, aneurysm or head injury.

• Headache after an injury

If you develop a headache after having a head injury you need medical attention immediately. The headache may indicate that you are having a concussion so you need to consult a doctor. Even a simple small injury to the head can cause bleeding in the brain which results in skull pressure or headache.

• Headache gets worse when walking

Going to bed with a headache and waking up with an even worse headache that causes vomiting is dangerous. If the headache medicines do not help, and the headache increases with walking and exercising the matter is serious. This type of headache may be a symptom of a brain tumor.

• The worst headache of your life

This headache involves pain in the head and upper neck when lying still, intolerance to light, stiffness of the neck, vomiting and confusion. This headache may indicate hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm in the brain, so consult a medical professional immediately.

• Sudden headaches

Sudden headaches are accompanied by severe pain, numbness in one side of the body, weakness of the arms, legs and face, loss of balance, trouble speaking or walking and difficulty to see on one or both eyes. These headaches may indicate a heart attack so go to the ER immediately.

• Unusual headache

If the headache feels weird consult a doctor. Characteristics of an unusual headache are:

• Headaches after the age of 50
• Severity, location and frequency of the headaches change
• The headaches become worse
• Vision and speech difficulties
• Headache after jogging, sex or weight lifting
• The most terrible headache you have ever experienced
• Memory loss, imbalance, confusion and inability to move the extremities easily
• Fever, vomiting and nausea along with the headache
• Shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Inability to perform normal daily activities